Rocket gun



Oct. 17, 1961 l. R. BARR ETAL ROCKET GUN 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 28, 1953 INVENTORS BY MJ Oct. 17, 1961 l. R. BARR ETAL ROCKET GUN 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 28. 1953 m .UE

few/v6 Az ,9A/efe JOSEPH BERT/6AM /V/(AOLAS 'A COSTA INVENToRs BY 6 MW Oct. 17, 1961 l. R. BARR ErAL ROCKET GUN 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 28. 1953 IN VEN TORS BYMJMW Cs PatentedV Oct.'17, 1961" arent ilnited States 9 into the forwardmost position. Forces applied to pis- Y3,004,475 g ton 9 from within tiring tube 3 will be absorbed by the ROCKET GUN pressurized uid and cause axial recoil movement of/the'A Irwin R. Barr, Kingsville,` Joseph N. Bond, Baltimore,

Bertram W.I Gore, Jr., Owings Mills, and Nicholas J. La Costa, Kingsville, Md., assignors to Aircraft Armapiston assembly in a rearward direction. A pair of radially extending brackets 16 and 17, rigidly ments, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a corporation of Ohio secured to ming tube 3 adjacent iis forward end 1.8 Filed APL 28,'1953SeLN0. 351,567 connects with a pair of piston rods 19- and 20. Plston 3 Claims. (CL g3g-1,7) rods 19 and 2G extend generally parallel to housing 1 A Y and axially into'a pair of tubular guides 21 and 22, "re` This invention relates in general to automatic guns and spectively. Guides 21 and 22 are rigidly secured to hous-' more particularly to an automatic rocket gun specially ing 1 on either side thereof as shown in FIGURES l and' adapted for use in tank turrets and the like. 2. The free ends 23 and 24 of rods 19 and 20 carry An object of this invention is to provide a rocket gun pistons 25 and 26 which slidably engage the inner wallsI having means for utilizing the recoil or jet blast of the of guides 2l and 22. A pair of double acting preloaded rocket when fired to eect automatic gun operation. A l5 springs 27 and 28 are carried within guides 21 and 22' butter piston is arranged to absorb energy from the rocket and concentrically arranged relative to rods 19 and 20 blast and thereby load a double acting spring for effecting adjacent the forward ends thereof. Pistons 29 and 30,` axial movement of a tiring tube wherein movement of the having tubular extension members 31 and 32 rigidly'V iiring tube actuates a loading mechanism for re-loading secured thereto, are concentrically arranged relative to' the gun and allowing continuous automatic operation. 20 rods V19 and 20 so as to engage the forward end of the Another object of this invention is to provide an autoassociated double acting spring 27 or 28. 'Ihe length of matic rocket gun having a closed breech which traps the extensions 31 and 32 is such that when the tiring VtubeY rocket blast to increase the eiective tiring range of the is in the neutral position shown in FIGURE 2 no spring' gun and prevent the uncontrolled escape of hotV gases pressure is exerted'but any rearward movement beyond rearwardly thereof. 25 that neutral position compresses the spring and urges the Another object of this invention is to provide an autoiring tube forward. A pair of pistons 33 and 34 conmatic rocket gun having a high rate of fire. centrically arranged relative to rods 19 and 20 engage the- Still another object of this inventionis to provide an rearward end of double'acting springs 27 and 28 so thatautomatic rocket gun which is dependable in operation when firing tube 3 moves forwardly, pistons 25'and 26 and which is relatively small as compared with other carried by rods 19 and 20 will'cause axial movement'ofautomatic weapons for the size round being launched. Y pistons 33 and 34 to compress springs 27 and 28 and Further and other objects will become apparent from; Yrelient.teturninotirutof.lheningmihehackto.theneunal a reading of the following detail description when taken position. in combination with the accompanying drawing wherein An automatic loading mechanism responsive to' axialV like numerals refer to like parts. 35 movement of the firing tube is employed which includes In the drawing: actuating pistons 35 and 36 carried within guides 21 and` FIGURE Vl is a fragmentary side elevation view of the 22 and rearwardly of double acting springs 27 and'28 so" rocket gun of this invention.

e 2 e that axial agreementL er tirlngtubefeauses :pisseaeiani n e n FIGURE 2 is a sectionalviewtaleeaangliae:22goiaY engageIthenetnatingvpistensYand;eectzforsffard FIGURE l. Y 40 movement thereof with'the iii-ing tube within the limits'- FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3'of dened by slots 37 formed in eachguide '211ar1`d22r' Ani FIGURE l. actuating'return'spring 38 is'provided within each 'guide FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4 4 of 21 and 22 so thatit 'acts "between piston 35 or 36 and' FIGURE l( i f piston 33 or 34 whereby pistons 35 and 36 are normallyl Referring to the drawing, the rocket gun includes a 45 urged inthe rearwardmost position relative to slots 37. generally cylindrical housing 1 having a bore 2 formed as shown iin FIGURES 1 'and 2. An'annular extensiontherein for telescopically receiving an open-endediiring 39 secured to each piston 33v and 34 extends rearwardly tube 3. The rearward end 4 of tiring .tube 3 as best shown within each guide 21 and 22 whereby Amovement ofpisin FIGURE 2 isincreased in wall thickness .for closely tons 25'and 26, as a result of axial movement of the tiring' engaging the inner wall orfbore 2 of housing 1.E VA pair 50 tube, causes the actuating Vpistons to move' forwardly of tiring tube support bearings 5 and 6' are rigidly secured against the action of springs 38 and engage'v extensionI to the inner wall of housing 1 at its forward end 7 for members 39. Continued forward movement of the iirng slidably engaging the tiring tube and permitting only tube then results in compressing double acting springs 27 axial movement thereof in cooperation with the increased and 23 to eiect the desired' return motion. :Pins 40. wall thickness portion at the rearward end of the tube. secured to actuating pistons`35 and 36 extend through' A piston chamber 8 formed at the rearward end of slots 37 for engaging one arm 41 of-a bell crank 42,o'ne housing 1 in coaxial alignment With firing tube' 3 and on either side of housing 1, through an L-'slot 43.- Bell having a greater diameter than the bore of the housing crank42 is pivotally carried by pin'44secured to wall45V is arrangedV to slidably receive apistonfuau r'oi'a'n ammunitiorguideclrutr'isecnredtrwirousing i?? ited axial movement thereof from a forward position The other arm 46 of bell crank 42 is provided with a" shown in FIGURE 2 abutting the rearward end 4 0f tube slot 47 engaging a pin 48 secured to round charger '49, 3 toa rearward position abutting a transverse bulkhead onen on either side of housing 1,1 as best shown in vFIG-1: 13 carried 'by housing 1. An opening 94 formed in bulk- URE 3., Round chargers'49 each include a guide block head 13 vents the piston chamber to atmosphere. AY 50 which'pivotally carries' a pawl'51 through pin 52': buffer pistou 10 rigidly Connects With piston 9 through 65 Pawl 51 is suitably urged so as to project -into the feedi an extension member 11 to form a piston assembly. path of the ammunition and engage the undersideof a; Buffer piston -10 is slidably received Within a fluid-filled rocket round 53,V Guide block 50 is slidably carried -withshock absorbing cylinder 12 carried by bulkhead 13. The in a hollow box-like faring 54 formed in wall` 45V pf. fluidfin cylinder 12 is pressurized by means such as conammum'tion guide chute 55. A slot 56 formed in box-Z. ventional hydraulicacc'umulator 14 connecting with the 70 like far-ing 54'limits the movementgof round charger, 49; cylinder through tube 15. .The pressurized fluid, acting. from the position shownvin FIGURE 3 to-a raisedfpo'si-fy against butler piston 10 urges the buffer piston'and piston tion wherein rocket round 53 is placed in Vcoaxial align? Vment with firing tube 3. By rotating bell cranks 42, through linear movement of pistons 35 and 36, round chargers 49 are actuated to load theV gun.

A second pairof round chargers 57', spaced from round .chargersY 49, areV carried by Ywall 45, one on either side oflammunition guide chute 55 in the same manner that round chargers Ai9 are carried, whereby positive four point support foreach rocketround is provided when loading the gun. Roundchargers 57 are each actuated by afsecondbell crank 58 pivotally carried through pinV 59 secured to wall 45 of guide 5S. One arm dit ofV bell Vcrank k58 pivotally connects with a lever 61, pivotally secured toarm 41 of bell crank lf2V through pin 62, so

that rotation of bell crank ft2y causes corresponding rota tion of Vbell crank 58 toactuate all round'chargerssimultaneously and move a rocket'into coaxial alignment Vwith the firing tube. Y

rearwardlyy a short distance beyond the neutral position against the action of piston 9 due to the firing tubey momentum, projection 85 strikes extension 88 and causes rotation ofy latch 81 which allows pawl 77 to swing into Y Ylocked engagement with notch 79 on the firing tube.

The slight rearward'movement of Ytiring tube 3 beyond the neutral position, due to its own momentum, is in- Y suflicient Yto eiect actuation of scar 63 whichfis actuated nects with a `switch 92, shown in FIGURE l. VSwitch92 Y is mounted on faring 76 and is provided with an actuating As shown inFIGURE l, a release sear 63 is pivotally Y carried by piston 9 through pin 64Y for engaging notch projection 67 formed on sear 63so that counterclockwise Y movement ofthe pawl, as viewed in FIGURE l, will dis engage the sear'andrelease ring tube 3 while clockwiser movement ofV pawl 66 will not'afcct scar operation.k To maintain pawl 66 in a generally upwardly projecting posi- VItionabutting projection 67 and for urging scar 63 into engagement'with liringtube notch 65, Suitable spring means 68y may beemployed. Ay cut-out 69 formedtin Y V'the wall of piston chamber 8 provides space for unobstructedaxial movement ofpiston 9 and its associated sear'mechanism with the exception of aV projection 7i) 'Y formed on the inner wall of cut-out 69 which is arranged to engage pawl 66 when piston 9 is moved axially rearwardly a sucient distance, whereby the sear mechanism is unlocked allowing free forward movement of the firing tube relative to the piston. Y

A snubber arrangement carried by housing 1 within faring 76 is adapted to hold firing tube 3 in the neutral position and relieve Sear 63 from shock loads developed byY tiring tube movement each time the gun lires. As shown in FIGURE l, the snubber arrangement includes a pawl 77 carried by pin 78 for pivotal movement from Ithe locking position wherein the pawl is in engagement with notch 79 formed in firing tube 3, to the unlocked position shown in dotted lines wherein the pawl is disengaged from notch 79. A spring 80 acting between =l1`ousing-1 and pawl 77 urges the latter into positive engagement with notch 79. Automatic locking and unlockingofpawl 77 is effected by a latch 81 pivotally carried by pin 82 and spring urged in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1, by means of spring 83. Actuation of latch 81 is effected through an extension 88 which is urged to an extreme position relative to the latch'by spring 86'so that only those forces applied to extension 88 in a rearward direction are effective to rotate the latch. When the barrel is moved rearwardly from the neutral position shown in FIGURE 1 due to forces applied to piston 9, the tiring tube is automatically unlocked as pawl 77 rides up on a cam 84 causing the latch' to engage the tip end 87 of pawl 77 and hold it in the unlocked position. When the snubber arrangement unlocks the ring tube, the latter is free to move forwardly relative to the housing, following release of se'ar 63. As the tiring tube moves forwardly, a projection 85 on tube 3Y engages extension 88 and applies a forceithereonV in the forward direction which is ineiective tol actuate latch 81 and the snubber arrangement therefore remains in the unlocked position. When the ring tube'returns toward the neutral position from a forwardly extendedv position, a groove 91 formed in tiring tube 3 provides the necessary clearance for extension 88 so that rotation of latch 81 will not be elected until the extension strikes projection 85. As the ring tube moves axially only when a rocket round is tired. Y Y

- YThe gun employs an electrical triggering system` as shown in FIGURES l and 4. A rod conductor 74 extending through honsing 1 as shown in FIGURE 4 conrod 93 extending'through Van opening 941 in the housing soas to enga-ge pau/177. When pawl 77 is in the locked position engaging notch 79, switch 92 isY closed, electrically connecting a suitable source `ot'electrical 'potentialV such as a ybattery (not shown) with rod conductor V74 through lead 75. A manually controlled switch (not shown) may be employed in the circuit in addition to switch 92 for turning the triggerk system on and on. A spring loaded Contact element 71 carried by tiring tube 3 engages rod conductor 74 Yand aV conducting ring 72 on rocket 73 simultaneously whenthe iiring tube isV in theY neutralV position, completing a circuit when switch 92 is closed which.

tires the rocket. Y When pawl 77 is inthe unlocked position, switch 92 is fopen, preventing operation ofV the triggering system to fire a'rocket. Y

As shown in FIGURES, ammunition guide chute 55kr connects with the underside of housing 1 to provide an Y opening 89 through which the rockets maybe raised from the chute intoV coaxial alignment withrthe tiring tube when thelatter is near its Yforwardly extended posi- Y tion. c l c Y As shown in FIGURE 4, a link'chute 9d communicating withguide chute 55 provides a path for disposing of conventional rocket connecting links (not shown) as theyV are removed from eachirocket immediately before the rocket is positioned within the gun.

The normal operation of the gun can best be understood by describing a complete cycle beginning with the tiring tube in the neutral position shown in FIGURES l and 2. At this time, a rocket round 72 is located within the tiring tube abutting piston 9. The release sear 63 is in the locked position securing the ring tube relative to piston 9 so that the tiring tube'will move with the piston. Pawl 77 of the snubber assembly is in engagement with notch 79 on the ring tube preventing forward movement thereof relative to housing 1. When a voltage is applied through switch 92 and lead 75, an electrical circuit is completed, igniting rocket 73.

As the rocket leaves the firing tube, its exhaust reacts against piston 9 causing axial rearward movement thereof against the action of the pressurized uid in cylinder 12. 'I'he rearward movement of piston 9 and tiring tube 3 causes the snubber assembly to be actuated through cam 84 and projection 85 to unlock the rng tube, open switch 92, and permit forward movement thereof beyondl the neutral position. The rearward travel of piston 9 and firing tube 3, due to reaction forces produced by ring the rocket, also positions pawl 66 rearwardly of projection 70 formed on the inner wall of cut-out 69. Then, as piston 9 moves forwardly due to the pressurized uid in cylinder 12, pawl 66 engages projection 70 causing rotation of sear 63 to unlock the tiring tube from piston 9. Since rearwardmovement of the tiring tube, relative to its neutral position shown in FIGURES l and 2, compresses double acting springs 27 and 28, energy is imparted to the tube causing it to move forwardly with considerable force. Near the end of the forward travel of the firing tube, pistons 25 and 26 engage actuating pistons 35 and 36 causing movement thereof within guides 21 and 22 to rotate bell cranks 42 and 58 and position another rocket round Within the gun housing in coaxial alignment with the firing tube. Forward movement of tiring tube 3,V while actuation of the loading mechanism is being effected, also compresses double acting springs 27 and 28 to produce a rebound force for.

returning the tiring tube to the neutral position shown in the drawing. As the tiring tube strikespiston 9 on its return stroke, scar 63 engages notch 65` and the energyV imparted to the piston by the moving tube causes slight rearward movement which is only suiiicient to disengage the snubber latch 81 and allow pawl 77 to engage notch 10 79 so as to absorb the stresses which would otherwise be applied to sear 63.

When pawl 77 moves into engagement with notch 79, switch 92 is actuated to again complete an electrical circuit tiring the new rocket round.f The gun operates as previously described in connection -With ring the ii-rst rocket round to load still another rocket. Continuous operation in this manner will continue until the source of electrical potential is disconnected from the switching circuit, at which time the ring tube will lock in -the neutral position and the gun will be loaded. l Y

By simply connecting the source of electrical potential so as to complete a circuit to the rocket, gun operation may `again be eiected. The hiring rate of the gun, which is proportional tothe average velocity of the moving tiring tube, may be regulated by controlling the pressure of the uid in cylinder 12. For example, if the pressure of the fiuid is lowered, the ring tube will move rearwardly from the neutral position a greater distance which compresses the double acting springs more to increase the average velocity of the moving ringtube; whereas, if the pressure of the uid is increased the double acting springs will be compressed less and the average velocity of the tiring tube will be lowered. A

'Ihe tiring rate of the gun also may be increased over the 35 ring rate under` normal opera-tion by eliminating switch 92 and providing electrical energy: to the trigger system when the firing tube passes vthe neutral position from the forwardly extended position rather than after the firing position by pawl 77. By applying electrical energy to the gun in this manner for increasing the rate of tire, the snubber assembly becomes effective only when stopping the gun and somewhat smoother operation therefore results because the firing tube moves from one extreme position to the other, never stopping at the neutral position when firing a new rocket round.

Though the gun is described in connection with firing rockets, it is merely by way of example and may obviously be readily adapted for use with any type of projectile.

Though a specific embodiment of the gun has been shown and described, it .is to be understood that certain alterations, modifications and substitutions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims;

We claim:

l. A closed breech automatic rocket gun comprising, a housing having a generally cylindrical bore formed therein, a piston slidably carried within said cylindrical bore adjacent one end thereof, a tiring tube telescopically re- 6o ceived within said bore, said tube being adapted for axial tion abutting said piston to a loading position spaced from said piston, double acting spring means urging said tube into an intermediate axial position, electrical means responsive to axial movement of said tube for tiring said gun, hydraulic shock absorbing means communicating with said piston and allowing limited axial recoil movement thereof in response to ring said gun, and latchV means carried by said housing and being responsive to axial movement of said tube independent of said piston for loading said gun.

2. An automatic gun comprising, a housing having a Within said bore for axial movement relative to said housing, a piston slidably carriedV said housing and com- V municating with said bore, spring -means urging said piston. in one extreme position for engaging said tube and absorb- Y ing energy released by fir-ing said gun, releasable latch means connecting said piston with `said tiring tube wherebyY the ltiring tube is caused -to move with the piston," said,l latch Vmeans being responsive to piston recoil movement for automatically releasing said dring tube and allowing axial movement thereof away from saidy piston, spring means carried by said housing and-connecting withv said tube forv urging the latter into an intermediate position and causing cyclical movement thereofbetween a recoilV position adjacent said piston and a loading position spaced from said piston, link means connecting Vwith said tube and-responsive to axial movement of said tube independent of said piston for loading said gun, and electrical means' responsive to axial movement of said tube for 4tiring said 3. A automatic rocket gun comprising, a generally cylindrical housing, a shock absorbing piston slidably car-. ried within said housing adjacent the rearward end thereof' and arranged for limited axial movement relative to the"l housing, uid means urging said piston into a forwardmost position, an open-ended iiring tube telescopically received said housing and arranged for axial movement relative thereto from a rearwardmostposition abutting said piston to a lforward position -spaced from said piston, double acting spring means connecting with said tiring tube for urging the same into an intermediate axial position, link means connecting with said ring tube and responsive to axial movement of said Afiring tube independent of said piston -for loading said gun, and means responsive to the axial movement of said firing tube for tiring said gun whereby energy-imparted `to said tiring tube by said piston is absorbed by said spring means to effect continuous automatic operation. Y u

4. An automatic rocket gun comprising, an open-ended firing tube, a housing supportingly receiving said tube and within said housing in generally coaxial alignment with said tube, shock absorbing means urging said piston towards said tube for absorbing energy released by firing said gun, double acting spring means carried by said housing and connecting with said tube and responsive to said shock absorbing means Ifor causing cylical movement of the tube between a rearwardmost recoil position abutting said piston and a loading position spaced from said piston forwardly of the firing position, and link means connecting with said tube and responsive to the axial movement of said tube independent of said piston for automatically loading said gun.

5. An automatic gun comprising, an open-ended ring tube, a housing supportingly receiving said tube and allowing axial movement thereof, a piston slidably carried within said housing in generally coaxial alignment with said tube, recoil means urging said piston towards said tube and responsive to tiring said gun for absorbing energy released thereby, actuating means carried by said housing and responsive to said recoil means for causing cyclical movement of the tube to either side of an intermediate with said tube and responsive to the forward axial movement of said tube vfor yautomatically moving a round of ammunition into axial alignment with said tube, and means carried by said housing for ring said gun.

6. An automatic gun comprising, an open-ended iiring tube, a housing having an opening for telescopically rep ceiving said tube and allowing axial movement thereof,

means releasabl connectin Ysaidrrgetube-teesairbpis-teny a-pistenelidabieedewithinesd-hein erierad" e- Y "T0 y coaxial alignment with said tube, recoil means urging said piston towards said tube and allowing axial recoil movement thereof for absorbing energy released by firing said gun, double acting spring means carried by said bore Aformed therein, va firing tube telescopically received housing and urging said tiring tube into an intermediate positionrfor causing cyclical movement of said tiring tube between a'rearwardmost recoil position abutting said piston anda loading position spaced from said piston forwardly of the tiring position, latch means carried by said piston and engaging said tiring tube whereby axial recoil movement of said piston causes like movement of said tube for compressing said double acting spring means, said latch means being responsive to axial forward movement of said piston for releasing said tiring tube, lock means carried by said housing and releasably engaging said ring tube for transmitting shock loads to said housing and relieving said latch means, said lock means being responsive to relative axial rearward movement of said tiring tube for releasing the latter and allowing free forward movement thereof, means responsive to axial movement of said tube independent of said' piston and relative to said housing for automatically loading said gun, and means responsive to said lock means for tiring said gun and eiecting automatic operation.

7. An automatic rocket gun comprising, an open-ended iiring tube, a housing having an opening for telescopically receiving said tube and allowing axial movement thereof, a piston slidably carried within said housing in generally coaxial alignment with said tube, spring means urging said piston towards said tube and allowing axial recoil movement thereof for absorbing energy released by ring said gun, double acting spring means carried by said housing and connecting with said tiring tube for causing cyclical movement of the tiring tube between a rearwardmost recoil position abutting said piston and a forward loading position spaced from said piston, latch means carried by said piston and engaging said tiring tube whereby axial recoil movement of said piston causes like movement of said tube for compressing said double acting spring means, said latch means being responsive to axial forward movement of said piston for releasing said firing tube and allowing free forward movement thereof, means responsive to said free forward movement of said tube relative to said housing for automatically loading said gun, and means responsive to axial movement of said tube relative to said housing for automatically tiring said gun.

8. n automatic gun comprising, an open-ended tiring tube, a housing having an opening for telescopically receiving said tube and allowing axial movement thereof, a piston slidably carried within said housing in generally coaxial alignment with said tube, spring means urging said piston towards said tubek and allowing axial recoil movement thereof for absorbing energy released by tiringV said gun, a second spring means carried by Said housing` and connecting with said tiring tube for causing cyclical movement of the ng tube between a recoil position abutting said piston at a location rearwardly of the ring position and a loading position spaced from the piston at a location forwardly of the tiring position, latch means carried by said piston and engaging said firing tube whereby axial recoil movement of said piston causes like movement of said tube for compressing said second spring means, said latch means being responsive to axial forward movement of said piston for releasing said tiring tube and allowing free forward movement thereof, means responsive to said free forward movement of said tube relative to said housing for automatically loading said gun, and means responsive to axial movement of said tube relative to said housing for automatically tiring said gun.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS vw... Nan, 

